Sommelier

Sommeliers are trained wine experts, who work in restaurants and wine bars. They are involved with all aspects of wine service, from advising customers which wines to choose with their meal, to buying and storing wines, and visiting vineyards.

Also known as:

• Cellarmaster
• Wine steward
• Wine waiter

Work activities

A sommelier is a trained wine expert who is involved with all aspects of wine service. They work in (usually upmarket) restaurants and wine bars, often within big hotels. Sommeliers have more knowledge and skill than a wine waiter. A sommelier works in the restaurant or bar area, advising customers on the best choice of wine to have with their meal. They use their knowledge of different wines to help the customer decide which to choose. They recommend wines that go well with different dishes, as well as asking the customer which types of wine they have enjoyed in the past, and how much money they want to spend. Once the customer has selected a wine, the sommelier takes the order, brings it to the table with the appropriate glass and pours it for the customer to taste.

Apart from working in the restaurant or bar area, sommeliers also work “behind the scenes”. They are responsible for all the activities associated with selecting and buying the wines, as well as delivery and storage. In order to decide which wines to buy, the sommelier works closely with the chef and restaurant or food manager to find out which types of dishes are going to go on the menu – this often changes with each season. The sommelier selects wines that go well with each particular dish. They usually need some knowledge of the different dishes that go well with each of the wines.

Sommeliers create, develop and regularly update wine lists. They need to be familiar with all the wines on the list and their prices. They also keep records, spreadsheets or sales charts and make sure payments are made. They might also be in charge of budgets.

The sommelier is in charge of the wine cellar, where the wine is stored. They deal with the delivery of the wines, which might involve carrying them to the cellar. They make sure the cellar is kept clean, tidy and organised, and that the wines are stored at the correct temperature. Sommeliers are in charge of stock control, where they keep records of the wines they have in stock. When these stocks get low, they re-order more wine. They also need to monitor the wines and identify any that are below standard or have gone off.

They make sure that all wine glasses and equipment are used, stored, cleaned and handled correctly and safely.

Sommeliers need to keep up to date with what is happening in wine regions around the world. They are responsible for visiting vineyards and going to wine fairs, where they taste and select the newest and best wines, and negotiate with suppliers. Some foreign travel is therefore involved in this job. Depending on where they work, some sommeliers might also be expected to have a wider knowledge of alcoholic drinks. For example, they might be expected to advise customers on aperitifs, cocktails and liqueurs, as well as wines. They might also host special wine events, dinners and tastings.

Being able to read, write and speak Welsh may be an advantage when you’re looking for work in Wales.

Personal qualities and skills

As a sommelier, you need:

• Good communication and customer service skills.
• To be tactful, friendly and polite to customers.
• Good sales skills to promote different wines to customers.
• Stamina; you’ll be on your feet a lot.
• To be prepared to work long, unsocial hours.
• Good fitness for bending and lifting; some items could be heavy.
• An interest in, and knowledge of, wines, grapes and wine regions.
• To be prepared to keep up to date with your knowledge of wines.
• A smart appearance.
• To follow licensing laws, as well as hygiene, health and safety standards.
• To keep accurate and clear records.
• Good planning skills to manage wine stocks.
• To be well organised in keeping a tidy cellar.
• To enjoy travelling.

Computer skills might be useful for keeping spreadsheets. Sommeliers might find having some foreign language skills, such as French, Italian, Spanish or German, useful when visiting vineyards abroad.

Since wine tasting is part of the job, sommeliers need to be of legal drinking age.

Pay and opportunities

Wages vary, depending on the type and location of employer. According to Indeed, the average salary for a sommelier is about £32,000 (based on 678 salaries). Tips can improve salaries. Some vacancies include the option to “live in”.

Sommeliers work full time hours. However, this could include shift work, split shifts, early starts, late finishes, weekend work and public holidays. Overtime might be available. Part-time, temporary and seasonal employment is possible. In particular, sommeliers need to be prepared to work evenings.

Employers of sommeliers are hotels, restaurants and bars, and other upmarket leisure operations. Opportunities also exist to work on cruise ships. Opportunities for sommeliers occur in larger towns and cities, and some rural areas, throughout the UK.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised in local newspapers, in trade magazines such as Caterer and Hotelkeeper, and on the Government’s Find a Job service.

Vacancies can also be found through specialist recruitment agencies and on job boards such as Caterer.com.

Many large/upmarket hotels, restaurants and bars have their own website and usually advertise vacancies as they arise. You could also approach them directly and ask about vacancies.

Entry routes and training

Most sommeliers enter the industry after gaining skills working in upmarket restaurants or bars, often by waiting on tables.

Training is on-the-job or by taking a relevant course. There are many types of course available, at different levels. Courses are available from the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) and include awards, diplomas and honours diplomas.

Other organisations offering relevant qualifications include:

• The Institute of Masters of Wine.
• The Academy of Food & Wine Service (AFWS).
• The Court of Master Sommeliers.
• Plumpton College.

Most courses cover aspects such as:

• Wine growing and production.
• Bottling wine and managing a cellar.
• Customer service skills.
• Learning about different types of grapes.
• Evaluating and tasting wines.
• Food and wine pairings.
• Developing wine lists.

For some courses, students need to be over 18 or have parental consent. Funding in the form of awards and scholarships might be available from some institutions. Check with course providers for more details.

With training and experience, it might be possible to move into supervisory positions such as head sommelier. Some sommeliers could move into a management position working for a wine importer or manufacturer.

Qualifications

No specific academic qualifications are required for this career, although employers may expect you to hold GCSEs in maths and English. However, many employers expect candidates to have a professional wine qualification. Literacy and numeracy are important, as well as skills gained working in a restaurant or bar. Useful qualifications include work-related courses in hospitality.

Adult opportunities

Age limits: It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits. For some courses, students need to be over 18 or have parental consent.

Some entrants have relevant skills and abilities gained in bar work, food service or in other customer-facing roles and cash-handling operations.

Colleges will usually consider applications from candidates who don’t meet their usual entry requirements. You should check the admissions policy of individual colleges. A number of organisations offer relevant qualifications by distance learning, short courses or self-study packs.

These include:

• Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET).
• Academy of Food & Wine Service (AFWS).
• Court of Master Sommeliers.
• Institute of Masters of Wine.
• Wine Campus.

For some courses, students need to be over 18 or have parental consent. Individuals may be able to apply for funding in the form of awards and scholarships from the WSET, the Court of Master Sommeliers, and the Institute of Masters of Wine.

Related careers

• Bar staff
• Catering/restaurant manager
• Chef/cook
• Food service assistant
• Publican
• Waiter